Endoscope with a removable suction tube

ABSTRACT

An endoscope has a removable suction tube to facilitate cleaning and reduce the risk of patient infection. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible probe with a slot extending along its length and an opening on the distal end of the probe. The housing at the proximal end of the probe is used to control the direction and operation of the probe, and for viewing images from the distal end of the probe. The suction tube can be removably inserted into the slot on the probe. Optionally, the distal tip of the probe can be equipped with a connector within the slot that removably secures the distal opening of the suction tube in communication with a suction opening on the distal tip of the probe. A suction tube connector at the proximal end of the suction tube allows the suction tube to be removably secured to the housing and also provides a connector for removable attachment to an external suction line. In the preferred embodiment, the suction tube connector includes means for regulating suction through the suction tube, such as a vent opening that can be manually sealed by a healthcare provider.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of endoscopes. Morespecifically, the present invention discloses an endoscope with aremovable suction tube.

2. Statement of the Problem

Endoscopes have been used for many years in the medical field forviewing within a desired region of the patient's body through thepatient's airway, other natural orifices, or a surgical incision. Anendoscope typically has an elongated flexible probe with a housing atits proximal end. Optical fibers extending the length of the endoscopicprobe carry an image from the distal end of the probe to the housing,where it can be viewed through an eye piece by the physician. Thehousing also includes one or more controls allowing the physician todirect the distal tip of the probe in a desired direction. The probe canalso be equipped with one or more instrument channels for surgicalimplements. A suction channel extends the length of the endoscopic probeto facilitate removal of mucus, blood, or secretions that can obstructthe physician's view or interfere with endoscopic surgery.

The problem is that these channels are difficult to clean and sterilizebecause only the ends of the channels are open. A conventional autoclavecan be used to sterilize an endoscope probe with heat and pressure. But,this tends to be harmful to the polymer components of the endoscopeprobe and can substantially shorten its useful life. Alternatively, theendoscope probe can be sterilized by immersion in a liquid chemicalbath. Unfortunately, the efficacy of this approaches depends on theability of the liquid to fully penetrate into all regions of theendoscope probe, which is often not possible if the suction channelcontains mucus, coagulated blood, or the like. In addition, neitherautoclave sterilization nor chemical bath sterilization can ensurecomplete removal of biological materials that may become trapped withinthe channels of an endoscope probe.

One approach has been to manually clean the channels in the endoscopeprobe with a cleaning rod or brush. However, this approach is relativelylabor intensive, costly, and may expose the worker to contamination.There is also a risk that the cleaning process is not 100% effectivesince it is very difficult to visually inspect the interior length ofthe channels in the endoscope probe.

3. Prior Art

A variety of endoscopes with removable tubes or sheaths have beendisclosed in the prior, including the following:

Inventor Patent No. Issue Date Takahashi 4,616,631 Oct. 14, 1986Silverstein et al. 4,646,722 Mar. 3, 1987 Takahashi 5,050,585 Sep. 24,1991 Silverstein et al. 5,193,525 Mar. 16, 1993 Takahashi 5,257,617 Nov.2, 1993 Adair 5,329,940 July 19, 1994 Hori 5,349,941 Sep. 27, 1994 Adair5,489,256 Feb. 6, 1996 Jones 5,503,616 April 2, 1996 Harhen 5,685,822Nov. 11, 1997 Wilk et al. 5,746,694 May 5, 1998 Harhen 5,876,329 March2, 1999 Wilk et al. 5,938,586 Aug. 17, 1999 Crawford 5,944,654 Aug. 31,1999

The Takahashi '631 patent discloses a removable tube that can beinserted into a slot in an endoscopic probe.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,722 to Silverstein et al. discloses an endoscopewith a protective sheath having a transparent window at its distal end.Channels for taking biopsies, or injecting air or water to wash thewindow of the sheath may extend along the endoscope either inside oroutside the sheath. If the channels are positioned inside the sheath,they may be inserted in a longitudinal groove formed in the endoscopecore.

The Takahashi '585 and '617 patents disclose a sheathed endoscope with achannel tube that is removably insertable into the main body of theendoscopic probe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,525 to Silverstein et al. discloses an endoscopewith an antiglare tip at its distal end.

The Adair '940 patent discloses a device for assisting in insertion ofan endotracheal tube. The assist device includes a handle, a malleableelongated insertion section, and an endoscope assembly. The handle mayalso include a suction port for attaching a suction tube for evacuationof the trachea during the intubation process.

Hori discloses an endoscope with a removable cover and an U-shapedviewing channel.

The Adair '256 patent discloses an endoscope with a separable disposabletube assembly.

Jones discloses an endoscope with a collapsible access that allowsinsertion of functional instruments such as a biopsy device or tubes forsupplying air, water, suction, and irrigation.

The Harhen patents disclose an endoscope with an elastomeric sheath.

The patents to Wilk et al. disclose a biopsy channel liner for use withan endoscope.

Crawford discloses an endoscope with a replaceable irrigation channelthat is held in a groove extending along the exterior surface of theendoscope.

4. Solution to the Problem

Nothing in the prior art discussed above shows an endoscope with asuction tube that can be removably inserted into a slot extending thelength of the endoscope, and having a connector at its proximal end tosecure the suction tube to the housing of the endoscope. The suctiontube connector can be equipped with a vent hole to allow the physicianto regulate suction through the suction tube. The distal end of thesuction tube can also be removably attached to a connector within theslot at the distal tip of the endoscope probe.

The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings of conventionalendoscopes by allowing the suction tube to be easily removed anddiscarded after use. The connectors at either end of the suction tubehold the suction tube securely in place to the remainder of theendoscope. The suction tube tends to prevent biological material fromcollecting in the slot. However, if cleaning is necessary, the slot isopen from the endoscope housing to its distal tip for easy access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides an endoscope having a removable suction tube.The endoscope includes an elongated flexible probe with a slot extendingalong its length and an opening on the distal end of the probe. Thehousing at the proximal end of the probe is used to control thedirection and operation of the probe, and for viewing images from thedistal end of the probe. The suction tube can be removably inserted intothe slot on the probe. The distal tip of the probe can be equipped witha connector within the slot that removably secures the distal opening ofthe suction tube in communication with a suction opening on the distaltip of the probe. A suction tube connector at the proximal end of thesuction tube allows the suction tube to be removably secured to thehousing and also provides a connector for removable attachment to anexternal suction line. In the preferred embodiment, the suction tubeconnector includes means for regulating suction through the suction tubemember, such as a vent opening that can be manually sealed by ahealthcare provider.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopethat is easier to clean and sterilize.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope thatreduces the risk of patient infection.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopethat can be quickly and easily assembled and used by healthcareproviders.

These and other advantages, features, and objects of the presentinvention will be more readily understood in view of the followingdetailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more readily understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the housing 10 and a portion of theflexible probe 30 of the present endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opposing side of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a detail exploded view of the suction tube connector 44 andthe keyway 23 in the endoscope housing 10.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope probe 30.

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of the distal tip of the endoscopeprobe 30.

FIG. 6 is a detail cross-sectional view of the distal tip of theendoscope probe 30 corresponding to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Structure of the Present Endoscope

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the housing 10 and a portion of theflexible probe 30 of the present endoscope. FIG. 2 is a perspective viewof the opposing side of the endoscope. As illustrated, the endoscopehousing 10 is connected at the proximal end of a flexible probe 30. Thehousing 10 includes a control lever 21 for controlling the direction ofthe distal tip of the probe 30, and an eye piece 22 allowing thephysician to view the image carried by the probe from its distal tip.

The flexible probe 30 has an optical fiber channel 31 (shown in FIGS. 4and 6) containing a plurality of optical fibers extending the length ofthe probe 30 for carrying light from a light source in the endoscopehousing 10 to the distal tip of the probe, and for transmitting imagesfrom the distal tip of the probe 30 to the eye piece 22 in the endoscopehousing 10. Alternatively, a small camera can be mounted at the distaltip of the probe to capture images that are transmitted by wire to theendoscope housing 10 for viewing. In this embodiment, the probe 30 canstill be equipped with optical fibers that carry light from a lightsource in the endoscope housing 10 to the distal tip of the probe forillumination of the surrounding region. Optionally, the endoscope probe30 can also have a number of other channels 32 extending along itslength for instruments and the like.

In the present invention, a slot 35 extends at least a substantialportion of the length of the probe 30 and at least a portion of theendoscope housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment,the distal end of the slot 35 is in fluid communication with an openingor port on the distal end of the probe 30, as will be described ingreater detail below.

A flexible, disposable suction tube 40 can be removably inserted intothe slot 35 with its distal opening adjacent to the distal opening ofthe slot 35. The slot 35 has a substantially circular cross-section witha diameter sufficient to removably engage the suction tube 40, asdepicted in the cross-sectional view of the endoscope probe 30 providedin FIG. 4. Ideally, the suction tube 40 should substantially fill theslot so there is no room for accumulation of biological materials.However, the suction tube 40 should also have a sufficiently smalldiameter so that it can be manually inserted into the slot 35 andsubsequently removed without undue effort by the healthcare provider.Alternatively, the slot 35 can be given a substantially ovalcross-section, which might be advantageous in more effectively grippingand retaining the suction tube 40 in the slot 35. The suction tube 40can be made of any suitable flexible material, such as a polymer,plastic, rubber, or a composite material. The suction tube 40 should besufficiently rigid to prevent kinking during insertion of the suctiontube 40 into the slot 35, and also to prevent collapse of the suctiontube 40 under suction. It may be advantageous to fabricate a suctiontube that is less rigid and has a softer durometer value at its distalend. In particular, the distal portion of the suction tube 40 must beable to bend along with the distal tip of the probe 30 as it ismanipulated by the physician.

The opening along the outside of the slot 35 is formed by the gapbetween two tapered lips at the outer surface of the probe 30. Forexample, the surface of the probe 30 can be made of a flexible polymer.These lips should be sufficiently flexible and elastic to allow thesuction tube 40 to be manually inserted into the slot 35 withoutrequiring excessive force. After the suction tube 40 has been inserted,the lips return to their original positions and cover a large portion ofthe outer surface area of the suction tube 40 in the slot 35. Thisfurther helps to prevent accumulation of biological material within theslot 35.

A suction tube connector 44 is attached at the proximal end of thesuction tube 40 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 1. This suction tube connector44 has an interior airway in communication with the lumen of the suctiontube 40 and a vent opening 46 leading from the interior airway to theambient atmosphere. The physician can manually regulate the degree ofsuction through the suction tube 40 by placing a finger or thumb overthe vent opening 46 on the top of the suction tube connector 44 tocontrol the flow rate of air through the vent opening 46. Alternatively,the vent opening 46 can be located elsewhere along the flow path. Forexample, a vent opening can be made through the wall of the suction tube40 itself. A small valve mechanism can also be used for regulatingsuction through the suction tube. The suction tube connector 44 also canbe equipped with a standard port 48 (shown in FIG. 3) for attachment toan external suction line 50, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

One of the primary advantages of the present invention is that itprovides a means for securing the suction tube 40 to the endoscopehousing 10 as well as the endoscope probe 30. This can be accomplishedby a number of means. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the endoscope housing 10 includes a connector 23 (e.g., arecessed keyway) that removably secures the suction tube connector 44 tothe endoscope housing 10. For example, FIG. 3 is a detail exploded viewof the suction tube connector 44 and a keyway 23 in the endoscopehousing 10. In this embodiment, two opposing lateral edges of thesuction tube connector 44 are sloped to engage the inwardly taperedwalls of the housing keyway 23 as the suction tube connector 44 slidesinto the keyway 23 from the side of the endoscope housing 10.Optionally, a complementary indent and detent on the base of the suctiontube connector 44 and the base of the keyway 23 can be used to provide atactile indication of when the proper degree of insertion has beenattained, and to provide a small degree of resistance to prevent thesuction tube connector 44 from accidentally sliding out of the keyway23.

In a minimalist embodiment of the present invention, the opening at thedistal end of the suction tube 40 is simply exposed at the distal tip ofthe endoscope probe 30, which also corresponds to the distal end of theslot 35. However, it would be advantageous to secure the distal end ofthe suction tube 40 as well as its proximal end to help ensure properinitial installation and prevent the suction tube 40 from sliding alongthe slot 35 during use of the device. In addition, space constraints orflexibility constraints at the distal tip of the endoscope probe 30 mayprevent the suction tube 40 from extending to the distal tip of theendoscope probe 30.

Thus, it may be desirable to provide a second connector 38 at somedistance behind the distal tip of the endoscope probe 30 that engagesthe distal end of the suction tube 40. FIG. 5 is a detail perspectiveview of the distal tip of this embodiment of the endoscope probe 30.FIG. 6 is a corresponding detail cross-sectional view of the distal tipof the endoscope probe 30. An end plate 36 at the distal tip of theendoscope probe 30 has a number of ports, including a suction opening 37and a viewing port 31 aligned with the optical fiber channel 31 withinthe probe 30. The distal connector 38 located within the slot 35adjacent to the suction opening 37 can be inserted into the distalopening of the suction tube 40 to removably secure the suction tube 40in fluid communication with the suction opening 37. This configurationprovides a complete path for suction of fluid from the regionsurrounding the distal tip of the probe 30 through the suction opening37, distal connector 38, suction tube 40, and suction tube connector 44to the external suction line 50.

With both ends of the suction tube 40 fixed by connectors 44 and 38, itcan be difficult to precisely insert the suction tube 40 in the slot 35without excess or shortfall. To address this potential problem, aportion of the slot 35 on the endoscope housing 10 adjacent to thesuction tube connector 44 is widened to serve as a take-up region forthe suction tube 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. This widened region24 of the slot 35 can also accommodate small variations in the length ofthe suction tube between the connectors 44 and 38.

Method of Use for the Present Endoscope

Prior to use, the endoscope housing 10 and probe 30 are cleaned andsterilized in the conventional manner. Because the suction tube assemblyis designed primarily to be disposable, it would normally be sterilizedat the factory and distributed to hospitals and medical offices insterile packaging. The healthcare provider removes the suction tubeassembly from its packaging and inserts the distal end of the suctiontube 40 into the slot 35 adjacent to distal tip of the endoscope probe30. The distal end of the suction tube 40 is advanced distally until itis secured to the distal connector 38 within the slot 35. The remainderof the suction tube 40 is then inserted along the length of the slot 35.The suction tube connector 44 at the proximal end of the suction tube 40is inserted into the keyway 23 in the endoscope housing 10 to secure theother end of the suction tube in place. A suction line 50 is thenattached to the corresponding suction port 48 on the suction tubeconnector 44.

After initial preparation of the endoscope is complete, it can beinserted into the patient for viewing. The physician controls thedirection of the probe tip using the control lever 21. Suction issupplied through the external suction line 50 and the suction tube 40.The amount of suction can be regulated by the physician via the ventopening 46.

After use, the external suction line 50 is disconnected from the suctionport 48 and the suction tube connector 44 is detached from the endoscopehousing 10. The suction tube 40 is stripped out of the slot 35 anddetached from the distal connector 38. The entire suction tube assemblycan then be discarded. The endoscope housing and probe can be cleanedand sterilized for subsequent reuse. If necessary, a small brush can beemployed to clean any matter accumulating in the slot 35.

The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the presentinvention. Other arrangements or embodiments, not precisely set forth,could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention and asset forth in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. An endoscope comprising: an elongated flexible probe havinga proximal end and a distal end with a slot extending at least asubstantial portion of the length of said probe and having an opening onsaid distal end of said probe; a housing attached at said proximal endof said probe controlling the direction and operation of said probe; asuction tube removably insertable into said slot on said probe with adistal opening adjacent to said distal opening of said slot; and asuction tube connector at the proximal end of said suction tuberemovably securable to said housing and having a connector for removableattachment to an external suction line.
 2. The endoscope of claim 1further comprising means for regulating suction through said suctiontube.
 3. The endoscope of claim 2 wherein said means for regulatingsuction comprises an opening in said suction tube that can be manuallysealed by a healthcare provider to regulate suction through said suctiontube.
 4. The endoscope of claim 2 wherein said means for regulatingsuction comprises an opening in said suction tube connector that can bemanually sealed by a healthcare provider to regulate suction throughsaid suction tube.
 5. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said slot has asubstantially oval cross-section.
 6. The endoscope of claim 1 whereinsaid housing further comprises a housing connector, and said suctiontube connector is removably securable to said housing connector.
 7. Theendoscope of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a keyway,and said suction tube connector is removably securable to said keyway.8. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said slot further comprises awidened portion adjacent to said suction tube connector.
 9. An endoscopecomprising: an elongated flexible probe having: (a) a slot extendingalong said probe; and (b) a distal tip having a suction opening incommunication with said slot, and a connector within said slot adjacentto said suction opening; a housing attached at said proximal end of saidprobe controlling the direction and operation of said probe; a suctiontube removably insertable into said slot on said probe, having a distalopening removably attachable to said connector at said distal tip toremovably secure said distal opening of said suction tube incommunication with said suction opening; and a suction tube connector atthe proximal end of said suction tube removably securable to saidhousing and having a connector for removable attachment to an externalsuction line.
 10. The endoscope of claim 9 further comprising means forregulating suction through said suction tube.
 11. The endoscope of claim10 wherein said means for regulating suction comprises an opening insaid suction tube connector that can be manually sealed by a healthcareprovider to regulate suction through said suction tube.
 12. Theendoscope of claim 9 wherein said housing further comprises a housingconnector, and said suction tube connector is removably securable tosaid housing connector.
 13. The endoscope of claim 9 wherein saidhousing further comprises a keyway, and said suction tube connector isremovably securable to said keyway.
 14. The endoscope of claim 9 whereinsaid slot further comprises a widened portion adjacent to said suctiontube connector.
 15. An endoscope comprising: an elongated flexible probehaving a proximal end and a distal end with a slot extending at least asubstantial portion of the length of said probe and having an opening onsaid distal end of said probe; a housing attached at said proximal endof said probe controlling the direction and operation of said probe,said housing having a housing connector; a suction tube removablyinsertable into said slot on said probe with a distal opening adjacentto said distal opening of said slot; and a suction tube connector at theproximal end of said suction tube removably securable to said housingconnector, said suction tube connector having: (a) a connector forremovable attachment to an external suction line for supplying suctionthrough said suction tube; and (b) an opening in said suction tubeconnector that can be manually sealed by a healthcare provider toregulate suction through said suction tube.
 16. The endoscope of claim15 wherein said probe further comprises a distal tip having a suctionopening in communication with said slot, and a connector within saidslot adjacent to said suction opening to removably secure said distalopening of said suction tube in communication with said suction opening.17. The endoscope of claim 15 wherein said housing connector comprises akeyway.
 18. The endoscope of claim 15 wherein said slot furthercomprises a widened portion adjacent to said suction tube connector.